Machine for drilling buttons



Nov. 27, 1923.

' D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. 7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnventbv: flaimld Boa w 71M Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,7 7..

D. BOURQUE v MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. '7, 1916 8 sheets-sheet 2 l o: Inventor.-

Bauid flour%ue Nov. 27 1923, 7 1,475,787

r D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. '7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ihvenior: David flow/argue,

iiy's.

Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,787

D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTlONS I Filed Aug. '7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,787

D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. '7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 27 1923.

D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. 7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 [n11 e mic a": Baum flour ue,

- fliiysn Nov. 27 1923. 1,475,787

. D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Filed Aug. 7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 D. BOURQUE MACHINE FOR DRILLING BUTTONS Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,787

Filed Aug. '7, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 flauid Boar ue,

34.9 I r Invnior:

Nov. 21 12223.

nest? DAVID BO'UBQUE, F ROCKY HILL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO G. J. TEUEPEY COMPANY, OF IVZERRIIJIAC, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPGEATION (3F MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FGR DRILLING BUTTONS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID BoUnQUn, a subject of the King of Great Bdtain, and a resident of Rocky Hill, rtimesbury, county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Drilling Buttons, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to machines for drilling holes in small articles such, ior example, as the button or head of a curtain fastener similar to that shown in the patent to Murphy No. 853,206, the purpose or" the hole being to receive a spring-carrying pin or shank as shown in that patent. These heads are usually small brass castings and the purpose of. my invention is to provide a machine that will handle such heads r buttons expeditiously and accurately position the holes in the same without attention from operatives.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. .1 is a general side elevation of one term of machine illustrating my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, a few parts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is detail of some of the parts sho n in Fig. 2 to be hereinaftereferred t Figs. and are sections on the lines 44 and 5 5 ct 2 respectively;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on the lines 7-? and 88 of Fig. 2 respectively;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view partly in ection of the right hand part of the machine as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a central, longitudinal section through the drilling mechanism proper;

11 is section on line 11-11 of Fig. 10 on a larger scale;

12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view similar-to 2 with a number ct parts in their proper relatlve position but with many of the supporting parts and other elements omitted;

Fig. 1.4 is Fig. 1;

Fig. is a section through the rim of the carrier wheel in Fig. 14 taken along a radius thereof;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a portion ofthe rim. oi said wheel; and

17 is a side elevation of one of the heads or buttons after it has been drilled.

Of the various figures, 2-8 inclusive, 10 and 13 are on twice the scale of Fig. 1; Figures 11, 15 and 16 on four times and Fig. 17 on eight times that scale; and Figures 9, 12 and 1% are on a scale proportioned to that of Figure 1 as three is to two.

In order to make more clear the Structure and operation of the form of. machine illustrated. in these drawings, 1 will first, referring to Figs. 1 and 9, describe briefly and in a general manner the relation of parts and their function, disregarding for the mo ment the particular mechanisms illustrated. The "form of niachineshown embodies an asserting device 1 by means of which un drilled buttons are brought into proper position and delivered to the chute 2 which carries them to the head 3. The head 3 embodies a teed mechanism proper which de livers the buttons one by one into approximate axial alinement with the drill of the drilling mechanism t and a holding device or chuclr embodying a number of jaws which take hold upon the button and retain it in position while the drill i acting thereon. The various mechanisms may be operated from a shaft 5 (see Fig. 9) supported in suitable brackets 6 from the frame of the machine one side thereof and driven in any suitable way, for example, by the pulley 7 clutched thereto by the clutch 8 which may be manipulated by any usual form oi clutchshiitting i-ember such as the lever 9. On this shaii' 5 to actuate the various parts of the mechanism there may be placed suitable cams, hereinafter to be more specifically re ferred to in their proper connection.

I shall nextcescribe in a general way 2 the head 3 which is prefa section on the line 14 14: of

the structure or. erabiy fixed to the irame of the machine as, for example, by the bolt 11 shown in Fig. 9 entering the hole 13 shown in Fig. 7. Referring to Figs. 2 and 6 which show opposite sides of this head, and Figs. 7 and 8 showing sections thereof, the buttons are delivered by gravity down the chute 2 and by means of a feeder arm 15 (Fig. 2) having a. forked end 17 adapted to embrace the buttons, are fed one by one into a position in axial alinement with the drilling mechanism 4:. As the feeder arm 15, details of the construction of which I will not now attempt to describe, releases a button in the position shown in Fig. 13, the button is seized by a system of'holding jaws which center it accurately about the axial line of the drill, irrespective of small variations in size thereof, and hold it firmly in position while the drill is acting thereon.

I will now describe the holding members which, in the construction shown, seize on the button at the top and bottom, and in doing so I will refer to Figs. 2, 7 and 13. For this purpose I provide a slide member 19 having one end bifurcated to form upper and lower fingers 21 and 23. The inner faces of these fingers diverge slightly toward their outer ends and are symmetrically placed about a horizontal line. It is apparent that if these fingers are moved forward on opposite sides of a button presented thereto by the feeder arm 15 the button will be centered about the horizontal because of the equal and opposite inclination of their inner faces and held by the two fingers. While the two fingers are not in themselves independently movable, it is clear that their gripping faces have essentially a movement of approach and recession to and from the axial line of the drill where it intersects the plane in which they move above and below which they are symmetrically placed.

The slide member 19 is supported in a guide formed at one side of the main stand ard 25 of the fixedhead 3 between cooperating plates 67 and27 (see Fig. 5) and maybe secured in position by a tapered member 29 adjustable by means of the screw 31 to take up any wear of the slide 19. A spring 33 extends from bracket 35 secured to theplate 27 to pin 37 on the end of the slide 19, and normally urges the. slide inward so that the fingers 2]. and 23 are in the positionshown in. Fig. 2. To move the slide in the other direction, the plate 27 may be cut away as shown at 39 to pro vide a space for the roll 11 mounted on the stud 13 carried by the slide 19. roll cooperates with a lever 45 pivoted at 47 on the frame and operated from a cam 49 on the shaft 5 by any suitable means such, for example, as the lever 51 pivoted at 53 and the connecting link 55. When the lever 15 is rocked, in a counterclockwise di' rcction (Fi 2) the slide 19 will be moved The toward the left, and when the action of the cam ceases the spring 33 will retract the slide toward the right into the position shown in F ig. 2. It will be noted that by the mechanism described the slide 19 is moved inwardly with a yielding movement so that the stroke accommodates itself to variations in the size of thebuttons which are delivered to the fingers 21 and 23 by the feeder, arm15.

I will next describe the jaws which, in the form of machine illustrated, seize the button laterally and for this purpose I will refer more particularly to Figs. 6 and 13, but also to Figs. 1, 5 and 7. The two jaws 59 and 61 (see Fig. 13) are mounted, if desired, by the tongueand groove joint shown in Fig. 8, on slide members 63 and 65 respectively, which slide in ways formed by the cooperation of the main standard 25 of the head 3 with suitable plates 67 and 69 (see Figs. 4: and 5). The main plate 25'is slotted as shown at 71 and 73 (Fig. 6) to accommodate the posts 75 projecting from the slides 63 and 65 and carrying rolls 77. The slides 63 and 65 carrying the jaws 59 and 61 are moved through the medium of these rolls by mechanism most clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 13. Cooperating with the two rolls are the two arms 79 of a yoke 80 (Fig. 7) fastened for example by a tongue and groove joint to a slide 81 movable in a vertical bearing 83. The slide 81 may be fitted into the bearing 83 by means of the wedge 85 and screw 87 (Fig. 6) similar to the wedge 29 and screw 31 shown in connection with the slide 19 in Figs. 2 and 6. The arms 79 are provided with the slots 89 in clined symmetrically to the vertical and diverging upwardly. It is apparent that if the slide 81 (Fig. 6) is drawn downward the action of the slots will be to wedge the rolls 77 apart and consequently the slide members 63 and 65 andthe jaws 59 and 61 carried thereby, and if, on the contrary, the slide is moved upwardly the slides and jaws will be brought together. A suitable spring 91 (Fig. 6) is provided which normally holds the slide 81 in elevated position and consequently tends to keep the jaws closed. The slide is moved in the opposite direction to open the jaws by means of the roll 93 fixed thereon and projecting through a slot 95 in the guide or hearing 35 and cooperating with the lever 97 pivoted at 99 to the main standard 25 of the head and actuated by cam 101 on shaft 5. As the inward movement of the jaws is effected by the spring 91, it is apparent that provision is made for variations in the size of the buttons clamped between them. The timing and action of theseaws relative to the other parts of the mechanism will be later explained.

I will now describe the devices which take hold of the buttonin the front and rear and mama? will refer particularly to Figs. 2 7 and 8. The button is engaged at the front nearer the drill by a fixed bloclr 103 supported on the plate 25 and perforated at 105 to permit the passage of the drill therethrough (see Fig. 8). Thebutton is held against the block 108 by a movable abutment jaw 107 which is here shown mounted on a lever 10!) swinging on the vertical journal 111 Fig. 8). A suitable spring 113 is provided which normally rocks the lever 109 contraclockwise (Fig. 8) to move the jaw 107 out of clamping position. To actuate the jaw in the opposite direction a suitable, horizontal slide 114 is provided which carries a part 115 conveniently in the form of a roll as shown, (Fig. 8) in order to reduce friction which will act like a wedge on one arm of the lever 109 and swing the jaw 107 into clamping position. The slide may be actuated in any suitable manner, but I have here shown a lever 117 mounted on the bracket 119 which may be integral with pivot stud 53 and connected by a link 121 with the lever 51 above mentioned. A resilient rod 123 may be mounted in a suitable stud 125 on the lever 117 and is engaged beween two small rolls 127 mounted on the slide 114. When the lever 51 is rocked by the cam, the lever 117 will also be rocked and the slide will be actuated by the rod 123 to move the jaw carryinglever 109against the force of the spring 113. The resiliency or flexibility of the rod 123 permits a certain amount of lost motion to take place and so the cnuck is accommodated to any variations in length of the button held; by it.

1 will next describe the action of the feeder arm 15 and thereafter will be able to coordinate the descriptions of the various parts of the mechanism hercinbefore set forth in detail. The action of the feeder arm is best illustrated by Figs. 7 and 13. The arm 15 is pivoted between its ends at 129 on a slide member comprising the two parts 131 and 133. relatively adjustable by means of set screw 135 to compensate for wear but which movevertically as one piece. The slide member moves in a vertical guide 137 and is normally held in its uppermost position by means of a spring 189. The slide carries a roll 141 projecting through a slot 148 in the guide and cooperating with lever 145 pivoted on bracket 11.47 and actuated by ram 149. When the slide is held in its uppermost position by means of the spring 139, the bifurcated end of the feeder arm is in the position shown in Fig. 2 above the axial line of the drill about which the lateral holding jaws 21 and 23, 59 and 61 converge. When the cam 149 rocks the lever 145 to depress the slide, the end of the arm is moved into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 13 to bring the button which it carries into alinement with the drill and into position to be received by the holding parts of the chuck mechanism.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 13, T will describe the means by which the arm is caused torelease one button and return to receive the succeeding one. For this purpose a spring 151 is provided which normally swings the arm so that its bifurcated end is in the line of the descending series of buttons in the chute 2 shown in full lines in both of the figures. A small lever 153 (see Fig. 3) is pivoted on the stud which carries the roll 141 and is adapted to engage the pin 155 on the upper end of the feeder arm 15. lVhen the arm has descended under the influence of the lever 145 to the full line position of 13, the lever 153 is rocked to swing the arm 15 against the force of the spring 151 to the dotted line position shown. "his may be accomplishedin any suitable way, but I here show the link 157 and lever 159 pivoted at 161 on the bracket 119 and cooperating with a suitable cam 163 on the shaft 5.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the upper jaw or finger 21 is rabbetted and the right hand, lateral jaw 61 is slotted to permit the passage of the feeder arm 15.

I will next briefly describe the cycle of motion of the parts which have previously been described in detail, and for this purpose will refer to the diagrammatic. view in Fig. 13 and to Fig. 8. Suppose the cam 149 to have swung the lever 145 thereby to depress the feeder arm 15 carrying the button in its bifurcated end to the full line position shown in Fig. 13, which is approximately in alinement with the drill. At this moment the cam 49 releases the lever 45 and permits the slide 19 to move to the right under the action of the spring 33, and the inclined surfaces of the two fingers 21 and 28 ride along the sides of the button, receivingthe same from the arm 15, and not only support it but by virtue of their symmetrical arrangement center it about the horizontal. about the same time the cam 101 releases the lever 97 and permits the spring 91 (Fig. 6) to move the slide 81 upwardly so that the inclined slots in the arm 79 will move the two slides 63 and inwardly and bring the jaws 59 and 61 into clamping engagement with the sides of the button. ecause of the symmetrical arrangement of the two arms 79 and the fact that they take their motion from the same member, their effect will be to center the button about the vertical. As the spring 33 draws the slide 19 to the right, it will rock the lever 45, and through the link 55, lever 51 and link 121 rock in a contra-clockwise direction the link 117 (see Fig. 2). Through the arm .123 the slide 114 (Fig. 8) will be forced to the right and the roll 115 will swing the jaw-carrying lever 109 on its pivot and. clamp the aw yieldingly against the button to press it against the block 103.

As the fingers 21 and 23 move to the right the cam 1623 comes into play to rock the lever shown in Fig. 3, whereby to withdraw the feeder rm 15 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13. When the arm was so withdrawn and while the finger 21 upheld the succeeding button in the chute 2. the earn 1 19 released lever 1 15 and pern'iitted the spring 139 to retract the feeder arm to an elevated position, whereupon tne earn 163 releases the same to the action of the spring 151 and permits the arm to swing into the aosition shown in Fig. 2 to engage with its bifurcated end the next button descending the chute.

I will next describe the construction of the form of drilling mechanism 1 shown herein and in doing so will refer more particularly to Figs. 10,. 11 and 12. This mechanism extends transversely to the plane of he lateral clamping jaws in the head 8 and includes an outer tubular shaft or sleeve 165 slidably and rotatably mounted in aligned bearings in two plummer blocks 167. In the end of the sleeve 165 nearer to the head 3 is mounted a rod 169 carrying the drill chuck 171 and having the threaded opening at its other end. This rod is secured within the sleeve 165 by means oi? the groove and feather 175 (Fig. 10) to rotate therewith. ll

threaded rod 177 passes through the sleeve 165 from the end further from the head 3 and enters the hole 173. The rod isprovided with a suitable head or handle 179 on its extremity and it is apparent that by turning this handle the rod 169 ill be moved longitudinally, guided by the groove and feather and consequently the position or the chuck 171 with respect to the head 3 varied.

It will be remembered that the head 3 is fixed in position on the frame of the machine. Therefore it is desirable and even necessary to provide some means whereby the chuck 171 may be drawn away from the head to permit the drill 181 to be readily mounted and dismounted. For this purpose the rod 109 and cooperating rod 177 which sustain the chuck are made movable with respect to the sleeve 165 and locking means may be provided for holding them in forthe outwardly projecting flanges 191 correreplaced. l l hen it is desired to bring the drill into working position the sleeve 189 and consequent y the rod which carri s it is again moved to the left and the sleeve is turned so that the flanges 191 lie behind the flanges 183 and the pins .93 enter the perforations 185. To look the sleeve i i this position a spring is preferably provided, here shown as a helical spring 105 encirclin the rod 177 and bearing against the collar 187 and a suitable shoulder 197 the in terior of the sleeve.

Suitable mechanism is provided to actuate the drill or" which an example is she vn most clearly in Figs. 1, 9 and 12. A pulley is mount d on the sleeve 165 by means oi which rota i" inc-lenient is applied thereand, because i the feather connection at 175. to the chuck and drill. To give the d ll forward feeding movement and to retract it from the hole which it had made at ,roper tin: es. a suitable yoked lever 201 is jJl'OYltlQCl having bifurcated arms cooperating with the bearing locks .203 which are pivoted to the collar 202 mounted on sleeve between pulley 199 and the nut 204-. is best shown in 12 this yoke may be secured to the rock-shaft 205 mounted in journal brackets 207 projecting from the frame of the machine, which rock-shaft is provided with a crank-arm 20:) carrying the cam roll 211 cooperating with the groove cam 218 i'nountezl on shaft 5. It is apparent that, as the earn 213 rocks the sh 205, the lever 201 will. be rocked and through the bearing blocks will give the sleeve and the drill carri d thereby trai atory movement in its bearings in plummerblocks 167.

Referrin particularly to, 9 wherein the form of the cam grooye is indicated, the

roll is shown in that figure "n. the position it takes when the drill is just beginning to cut. The shaft 5 is rotating toward the reader. The drill is fed forward gradually by the slightly spiral part 215 oi the cam groove until the hole has reached the proper depth when the shoulder 217 comes into play and with a sharp quick movement retracts the drill clear of the hole. The drill is now held by the straight part 219 or the cam groove substantially at rest while the clamping mechanism on the head releases the drilled button and takes hold upon another button presented thereto by the feed arm 15. V7 hen the second button is clamped in position, the drill is quickly moved forward by the part 221 of the cam groove to the face of the work and then is once again given its gradual feeding movement by the part 215 of this groove.

If desired suitable means may be provided for automatically stopping the machine if anything goes wrong in the feeding of the buttons. 1 have illustrated in Fig. 9 a suitable mechanism for accomplishing this purpose which, in the present case, embodies the lever pivoted on the frame of the machine and having the bent end 225 which. when the lever is in the position shown in that figure, projects into the path of the slide 19. It will be remembered that in this figure the drill is just beginning; to cut and.

that therefore the slide 19 is in its innermost clampingposition. The other end of the lever carries a suitable cam roll cooperating; with the groove cam 227 which is mounted on the hub of the pulley 7. As long as the machine continues in normal operation, the part of the cam track in which the cam roll is shown lying in Fig. 9, will act to move the end 225 of the lever in behind the slide 19 when the latter is moved inwardly. However, if anything goes wrong with the mechanism because the buttons are not properly fed or because something has jammed the holding jaws and the slide 19 is held out wardly, it will project into the path of the bent end 225 and hold the lever. The cam 22? now becomes a driven instead of a driving member and the hub carrying it and the pulley 7 will be moved toward the left in Fig. 9 to disengage the clutch 8 and stop the machine.

The buttons be delivered to the head in any suitable manner; if desired by feeding them by hand into a suitable chute 2 such as is shown. I prefer, however, to employ an automatic mechanism for assorting buttons from a bull: thereof and delivering them in proper position to the chute. One suitable mechanism for this purpose is illustrated in Figs. 1. and 14 to 16. The assortinp; mechanism which is denoted generally by the reference numeral 1 is here shown as mounted on a suitable standard 229 having arms connected by the rod 231 which provides a journal hearing. In the form of mechanism here shown a suitable hopper or container is provided to receive a number of buttons to be assorted and delivered to the head 3 which hopper may be formed of the substantially semi-circular. fixed, dished plate 235 cooperating: with the flange 237 of the dished dish wheel 239 which forms the other side of the hopper. The flange 237 acts also as a circulating conveyer mechanism for the buttons. To drive this mechanism the hub of the wheel is journaled on the rod 231 and may be driven by any suitable power by the pulley 24:1. The rim or flange 23'? of the wheel is provided with suitable poclr Figs. 15 am; 16) opening inwardly toward the center thereand consequently to the inside of the hopper and shaped in such fashion as to permit the entrance of the buttons in one position only. It is apparent that as the wheel. rotates beneath'tho mass of buttons that certain ones will enter those pockets which are near the bottom thereof. I

in order to retain the buttons in the pockets after they have entered the same, suitable gripping means are provided which may be in the form of'spring pressed catches as here shown. These catches may, as illustrated, consist of bent wires having one leg 2415 passed through transverse holes in the rim 237 of the wheel which severally communicate with the openings 2&3. It is apparent that if the leg 245 is moved toward the right viewing Fig. 15 by any suitable means such, for example, as the spring 247 stretched between the other leg 249 of the catch and the fixed pin 251, that it will reduce the effective size of the pockets 24:3 and securely retain in place the buttons which may have entered the same. The legs 249 of these catches are disposed in f-shaped notches 251 in the rim of the wheel the sides of which serve as wedge surfaces, as will hereinafter be explained, and they project outwardly from the center of the wheel. As seen in Fig. 16 the springs will normally retain the legs 249 in central position in the notches 253.

It is apparent that if the leg 2&5 of the spring catch always projected into the pocket 243 that the buttons could not enter the same. A suitable cam surface or track 255, best shown in Fig". 1, is provided to release these catches adjacont the lower part of the wheel to permit the buttons in the hopper to enter the recesses by gravity.

This cam surface 255 is simply an are shaped plate projecting into the path of the outwardly extending legs 249 of the catches so that. as the wheel turns, the legs are engaged thereby as shown in Fig. 1 and rocked along the side of the notches 253 which will act as wedges to draw the catches longitudinally against the action of the springs 24'? and permit the buttons to enter the pockets 2&3 without obstruction. When, in the clockwise rotation of the wheel viewing, Fin: 1, the part of the rim carrying any given pocket passes the left handend of the surface 255, the catch will be released to the action of the spring and the leg 245 pressed against the button in the pocket as shown in Fig. 15, which will, therefore, be securely held in place against gravity and raised to the position shown at the topof Fig. 1 adj acent the intake end of the chute 2. Adjacent this end of the chute a trip in the form of another cam surface 2-57 similar to the sur- 6 names? face 255 is provided which rocks the legs 249 01' the catches in the same way. By this means the buttons are released to the action or" gravity just as they are tented to the intake end of the chute 2 W 1 therefore delivered to such chute in proper position to be taken hold of by the feeding when delivered to the head 3. This is he case because the pockets 243 are of such shape as to permit the entrance oi"- the buttons in one position only and consequently all the buttons raised by the ca rier or wheel are arrange in the same way.

In order to keep in motion the mass of buttons within the hopper or container formed the cooperating wheel 239 and the, plate 235, a spoked wheel 259 is provided to act stirrer and this wheel preferably is rotated in direction opposite to that of the wheel 239. The wheel 259 may have hub 261 mounted on the supporting rod 231 ans carryi' miter gear 263 taking motion from miter sear F 2-65 on the hub of the driven wheel 289 through idle gear 26'? mounted for rotation on the post 269 projected from sleeve 271 which is non-rotatably secured on the rod 231.

I will now briefly recapitulate the action of the machine, referring to earlier descrip tions for the details. Viewing 1, the machine is started and a number of undrillcd buttons placed within the container formed by the wheel 239 and the plate 235. As the wheel rotates the surface 255 holds the catches tree from those pockets near the bottom o the wheel and certain oi. the but tons which are constantly being tumbled about by the action of the wheel 239 and the stirring wheel 259 will enter the same. Because of the formation of the pockets the buttons received. thereby are all positioned in one way. As the pocket carrying the button moves past the end or the cam surface the catch is released to the action of the spring 2%? and the leg 245 thereof is pressed against the side of the button and holds the same unti it reaches to a point adjacent the cam surface I re the leg or" the catch is withdr: the pocket and allowed to "fall therefrom into the chute 2. The buttons are thus automatically de livered in proper position to the chute through which they. pass by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 2 where they come under the action of the feeder arm 15. I refer to the two paragraphs beginning: I will next briefly describe the cycle of motion for a detailed description of the action of the feeder arm which delivers the buttons seriatim or one after another to the action of the holding means, which is essen tially a six-jawed chuck holding the button from all sides for the action of the drill thereon. This chuck comprises the forward fixed jaw 103, the back or abutment jaw 107 and two lateral jaws 59 and 61 best shown in Fig. 8 and also two other jaws 21 and 23 which seize the button above and below and are clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The jaws 59 and 61, 21 and 23 all have a movement of approach and recession relative to the axial line of the drilling mechanism and their action is in all cases symmetrical and provision is made by the springs which move the jaws to clamping position to accommodate variations in size of the buttons due to irregularities of manufacture. Be cause of this symmetrical arrangement and the fact that the opposite jaws of each pair are moved by the same driving means the button is perfectly centered with respect to the drill 181. I refer to the paragraph beginning Referring particularly to 9 for a description of the motion of the drill. as coordinated with the motion of the clamping means of the head 3.

In Figs. 1 and 8 there will be seen a funnel-shaped guard 273 extending around the point of the drill. Ihe purpose of this guard is to prevent the shavings from the boring operation from falling into the mechanism of the holding chuck.

As the bored buttons are released from the holding mechanism they drop by grav ity into a suitable chute 27 5 shown in Fig. 1 but omitted for clearness from the other figures and are carried thereby to any suitable receptacle.

It is apparent from the description given of one form of machine embodying the principles of my invention that I provide for rapid handling of such articles as the but tons or heads of curtain fasteners and for an accurate working of the same by a drill or like tool. Because of the number of parts involved I have described in detail the particular construction of machine here illustrated and have used specific words in referring to the various mechanical parts. It will be understood, however, that I have done this in order that the structure and operation of the embodiment of my invention might be more readily comprehended and not because the details disclosed are of the essence of the invention.

What I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine of the class described comprising in combination with an axially moving drill means to feed articles one by one into axial alignment with said drill and article holding means presenting more than two article engaging faces symmetrically arranged about the axial line of the drill and means for positively moving said holding means in both directions to cause said faces to approach and recede from said axial line whereby to grip and center successive articles for operation of the drill thereon.

2. niiachinc of the class described comprising in combination with an axiallg. movorill an abutment movable to a position in axial alignment with said drill, neans to feed articles seriatim to a position whim-i is in front of the abutment when. located, and article suppo g means presenting opposed pairs of a1 .l-e en faces and means umg; for each 'idependemiv opera pair or article engaging: faces ior moving said supportingmeans efiective to cause opposite faces to advance 211K, recede in equal amounts and opposite senses toward and from said xial liie whe-eb to grip and center succ lve articles for operation of the drill thereon.

ln a drilling machine the combination with axially moving dill, means for feeding: the work to the drill ng position, a pair of jaws movable to and from the axial line or" the dril front opposite sides thereof to grip and hold the work and independently operating" centering fingers movable substantially parallel to and in timed relation to one of said jaws to center the worlr in drilling position. to be gripped by said jaws.

l. In a drilling machine the combination as described in claim 3 together with an abutment rearward of the jaws movable to support the work held by the jaws against the action of the drill.

5. A machine of the class described comprising in combination, a frame, a sleeve mounted thereon for both rotary and translative feeding,- movement, a shaft slidably mounted in said sleeve to rotate therewith, a tool muck varied by said shaft, a fixed work-holding head carried by said frame in alignment with said shaft and means to fix said shaft against sliding movement in. said sleeve.

A; machine of the class described com-- prising in combination. a frame, a sleeve mounted thereon for both rotary and translative feeding movement, a shaft slidably mounted in said sleeve to rotate therewitln a tool chuck carried by said shaft, a fixed work-holding head carried by said. frame in alignment with said shaft, a spring acton said shaft and tending to move said check away from said head and means to lock said shalt against. the force of spring.

7; A machine of the class described comprising in combination, a frame, a sleeve mounted thereon for both. rotary and translative feeding; movement, a shaft slidablv mounted in said sleeve to rotate therewith a tool chuck carried by said shalt, a fixed worlnholding; head carried by said fr! me in alignment with said. shaft and means to fix said shatt against sliding movement in said sleeve comprising a spring pressed. collar coaxial with said sleeve, relatively movable lonoitudinally thereof in one position of angular adgustment anl interlocking theres u in another position.

0. ln a drilling: machine the combination .0 1

with an axially moving drill, a work holemechanism presenting work engaging is symmetrically on opposite sides or": the axial line, a second work holding mechanism iresenting worlr faces symmetrh above and below said line and means moving said mechanisms to bring said "faces alternatcl nearer and farther from said line equa and oppositeamounts.

9. ln drilling machine the combination with an axially moving drill, a work holding mechanism presenting worl: engaging faces symmetrically on opposite sides of the axial line, second work holding mechanism presenting work engaging faces symmetrh callv above and below said line and a single member transmitting motion to each said mechanism moving the same to bring said faces alternately nearer and farther from said line in equal amounts.

1.0. In drilling machine the combination with an axially moving drill, a work holdmechanism presenting work engaging faces symmetrically on opposite sites of the axial line, a second worl; holding mechanism presenting" work engaging faces symmetrically above and below said line and seoarato yielding means giving motion to each said mechanism, moving the same to bring said faces alternately nearer and farther from said line in equal and opposite amounts.

11. A machine of the'class described comprising: a drill, means to feed articles one b one into axial alignment with sale drill, a slide member 19 reciprocating in a plane transverse to said drill and having fingers "presenting article faces oppositely and equally inclined with respect to line extending in the direction of motion of said slide and intersecting the axial line of the drill, opposed jaws to seize the articles at a location different from that of said fingers and means to actuate said slide and jaws.

12. A machine oi the class described comprising atool, a system of jaws for holding an article for operation of said tool thereon, means to actuate the same, a supply passage leading toward the centre or said system and and opposite a teedin device for deliverin articles from 1 release of one article to the action of said jaws and prehension of another presented in said passage 13. A machine of the class described comprising a centric group of jaws for supporting an article by its sides and providing for access of a tool to an end thereof, a supply passage leading to the centre of the group, a transfer device 17 to transfer articles from the .passage to the centre of the group and operating substantially in the plane of the jaw, certain of the jaws being cut away to pass the transfer device whereby to permit continuous control of an article by device and jaws successively.

14. A machine of the class described comprising a centric group of jaws for supporting an article by its sides and providing for access of a tool to an end thereof, a supply passage leading to the centre of the group, a transfer device 17 to transfer articles from the passage to the center of the group and having a four motion feed substantially in the plane of the jaw, certain of the jaws be ing cut away to pass the transfer device whereby to permit continuous control of an article by device and jaw successively.

15. A machine of the class described co.1n

rising a drill, means to feed articles one Ey one into axial alignment therewith, slide members presenting axial holding jaws symmetrically about said line, a sliding mechanism having oppositely inclined slots cooperating with said slide members to move the same on actuation thereof and means for reciprocating said mechanism.

16. A. machine of the class described comprising a drill, means to feed articles one by one into axial alignment therewith, slide members presenting axial holding jaws symmetrically about said line, a sliding mech anism having oppositely inclined slots cooperating with said slide members to move the same on actuation thereof, yielding means for moving said mechanism to close said jaws and other means for moving the same in the opposite direction.

1.7. The supply mechanism comprising a container for articles in bulk, a conveyor movable through said container and having pockets therein to receive articles from said bulk, means to grip articles in said pockets one means to render said gripping means ineffectual that portion of the path of the conveyor extending through the container and at a point exterior to the container.

shaft, a lever and means movable with said pulley cooperating with one end of said lever to move the some substantially longitudinally of the shaft and to more the other end thereof in to and out from the path of said mechanism.

20. The supply mechanism comprising a container for articles in bulk, a conveyor movable through said container and having pockets arranged to receive articles only when presented thereto in a given position, means to grip articles in said pockets, means to render said gripping means ineffectual within said container and means exterior of the container for releasing the same serially with reference to the several pockets.

21. The supply mechanism comprising container for articles in bulk, a cir ulating conveyor movable through said container and having pockets arranged to receive articles only when presented thereto in a given position, means to grip articles in said pockets and means to render said gripping means ineffectual at that portion of the path of the conveyor extending through the container and at a point exterior to the con tainer.

22. The supply mechanism comprising a container for articles in bulk, a conveyor movable through said container and having pockets arranged to receive articles only when presented thereto in a given position, devices acting to reduce the effective size of said pockets whereby to retain articles therein and means to render said devices ineffectual within the container and at a point exterior thereto.

23. The supply mechanism comprising a container for articles, a wheel with its lower part disposed in said container and having inwardly opening pockets in its rim, springpressed catches extending from the wal s of said pockets, a track adjacent the lower part of the wheel bearing on said catches and acting to move them clear of said POtliClS against the action of said springs, a chute leading from the inner periphery of the wheel and a trip adjacent said chute to re lease the catches as the pockets are presented to said chute.

24-. The supply mechanism comprising a wheel which includes a rim having pockets adapted to receive articles from the interior side, said rim having notches aligned with pockets and having inclined sides, spring-pressed. catches extending into said pockets having legs extending outwardly from the rim and disposed in said notches and means to rock said legs along said inclined sides against the force of said springs at selected points along the path of the wheel.

25. The supply mechanism comprising a rotatable disk wheel having a rim formed with inwardly opening pockets, a plate oooperating With said Wheel to form a container or hopper. devices acting to reduce the effective size of said pockets Whereby to retain articles therein and means to render said devices ineffectual at selected points along the path of the Wheel.

26. The supply mechanism comprising a rotatable disk Wheel having a rim formed with inwardly opening pockets, a plate oo- 10 operating with said Wheel to form a container or hopper, devices acting to reduce the effective size of said pockets whereby to retain articles therein, means to render said devices inefiectual at selected points along the path of the Wheel and a second spoked Wheel having motion different from that of r the first through said container.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

DAVID BOURQUE, 

